DSC Debates: Do You Need to Shower Every Day?

“No one wants to sit next to someone who smells like grilled onions that have been sitting out for far too long.”

If there’s anything we Americans are obsessed with, it’s hygiene. In fact, the average American showers every day and some even shower twice a day, according to a recent poll. Dermatologists have long held that showering every day essentially wrecks our skin, but what’s more important: Silky smooth skin, or feeling fresh and smelling good? We asked a few of our DSC colleagues for their thoughts on the matter, and it turned into quite the debate…

Team Daily

Jackie R.: “I would spend every minute of the day in the shower if I could afford to. I can’t sleep unless I feel squeaky clean, and I like to wash my hair in the morning for styling purposes—in other words, I shower twice a day. Let’s just pretend I’m not using as much water as I really am.”

Jack D.: “I have an irrational fear of smelling bad that requires I shower every 12 hours. Add on the fact that I work out every day, and there’s really no way for me to get away with not taking at least a daily rinse.”

Malcolm S.: “Personally, I feel the need to wash off the day’s filth and grime—both literally and figuratively. How else are you supposed to wash away the day’s stress?”

Kyle F.: “I grew up in the Philippines, where I lived in a very polluted and humid city. Because of that, showering at leastevery day became a habit for me. You can never really be too clean, can you?”

Camille J.: “Sometimes you just have that day—you know, where you aren’t all that active—that doesn’t warrant a shower at the end of it. I know that sounds a little gross, but it’s always good to conserve water. Am I right?”

Joe K.: “If you’re running late for work, which we all are from time to time, I think it’s more important to skip your morning shower then it is to show up even morelate. Hey, you’ll get another chance to shower tomorrow.”

Jessie T.: “Washing away all those pheromones (aka, your attractive musk) every single day cannot possibly be good for your sex life. Although, neither is smelling rank, so showering every other day might be the happy medium there.”

Jeff G.: “I don’t shower every day, and I don’t care who knows it. And for good reason: First off, showering dries out my skin something fierce. It feels like I’m wearing a skin suit two sizes too small. Second, I’m not normally a stinker. But it’s not like I don’t shower ever—when I think I’ve reached that “overripe” stage, I shower. I’m just not going to shower every day simply because Big Soap tells me I should.”

Ian L.: “Because I like to think I’m one of the 2 percent of people who have the gene for stink-free armpits, I don’t shower every day (or wear deodorant). My girlfriend can vouch for the fact that I don’t smell. I’m also a strong believer in the idea that our body’s natural oils keep our skin silky smooth, so I like to soak in them for at least a day before washing them off.”

Now that our DSC employees have fought it out, it’s your turn. What side of the debate do you land on? Tell us in the comments below.